Indonesia, US and allies launch Garuda Shield drills

Indonesia, the United States and more than a dozen allies launched the annual Super Garuda Shield military exercises on Monday, with 4,700 soldiers due to train in several Indonesian locations until September 11.

The drills, held in places including Sumatra and Borneo, include forces from countries such as Britain, France and Japan. East Timor, Italy, Thailand and other nations sent observers.

Patrick J. Ellis, commander of the US Fourth Infantry Division, said at the opening in Bandung that the exercise was important for readiness in the Indo-Pacific. He said the training would include special forces infiltration and cyber defence drills.

Indonesia and the United States have taken part in Super Garuda Shield with allies for nearly two decades. Jakarta elevated defence cooperation with Washington to a Major Defence Cooperation Partnership in April.

The exercises come as Indonesia continues to seek good relations with both Washington and Beijing. Indonesia held a joint navy drill with China this month, which Taiwan criticised as a “provocation”. China and Indonesia are also due to hold Heping Garuda exercises later this year, focused on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and military-to-military cooperation.